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The amendment to Clause 13 seeks to clarify the proposed consequential amendments to section 65B(3)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) to make it clear that only a statement tendered in evidence which is not made in an official language will need a translation in an official language.
The amendment to Clause 15 clarifies that proceedings in Magistrates' Courts may be recorded by means of shorthand notes or by mechanical or other means, as an alternative to full minute writing.
Mr President, I beg to move.
End/Wednesday, July 5, 1995
Wider use of Chinese in courts welcomed
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The Judiciary welcomes the passage of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday) as it is another step to enhance the wider use of Chinese in courts.
The Bill would provide the Chief Justice with the power to phase in the use of Chinese in court proceedings at different levels of Hong Kong courts.
A spokesman for the Judiciary said the wider use of Chinese in courts would provide an option to members of the public who felt that justice would be best served by the use of Chinese in their cases.
At present, either Chinese or English could be used in the scheduled courts which include the Magistrates' Courts, Coroner's Court. Juvenile Court, Immigration Tribunal, Small Claims Tribunal. Labour Tribunal, Municipal Services Appeals Board. Administrative Appeals Board and Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board. In the District Court or above, proceedings could be conducted only in English with the assistance of court interpreters or translators.
The use of Chinese in courts would be a complex exercise.
"The Chief Justice will decide on the pace of the implementation having regard to the experience gained from a series of trial schemes which are due to start in August.
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